18-Jun-11 World View — Taiwan Sides With U.S. Against China In Sea

Taiwan sides with U.S. against China over South China Sea policy

Taiping Island

In a change of police that’s sure to infuriate Beijing, Taiwan now supports the U.S. position on “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea. China has been claiming as sovereign territory a huge area in the South China Sea, including regions that are clearly the sovereign territory of Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries. The U.S. has taken no position on these disputes, but insists that that the South China Sea must remain open to all vessels for free navigation. China has taken the position that it must approve the passage of any ships, especially American military vessels, before they can pass through the South China Sea. Taiwan is now taking the U.S. position. The Taiwanese Navy will also send a naval fleet to Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island — the biggest island in the Spratlys — on a routine mission soon. Taiwan operates an airstrip with a 3,800-foot-long, 100-foot-wide cement path on Taiping Island. Jamestown

China’s navy conducts live fire drills in South China Sea

A few days after Vietnam conducted live fire artillery drills in the South China Sea, China’s navy has been conducting three days of military exercises, including live fire drills, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, near the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by several countries. Up until now, all encounters have occurred with non-military vessels, and the possibility of a military confrontation is now increasing. LA Times

Fresh Protests Erupt in Syria on Friday

There were fresh protests in cities across Syria on Friday, after midday prayers. There were a few hundred protesters in some cities, and tens of thousands in others. There was intense firing by the army in some cities to disperse the protesters. Day Press (Syria)

Israeli navy practices boarding ships in readiness for Gaza flotilla

Israeli naval commandos carried out wide-ranging exercises in the takeover of a large ship, in preparation for a possible raid of the vessels taking part in the Gaza-bound flotilla that is expected to sail in coming weeks. The exercise appeared aimed at avoiding the killing of any of the passengers in case the commandos are ordered to board the ships to stop them from breaking Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. National (UAE)

12 reasons why China is heading for a crash

Reason #1: Over-reliance on property speculation for profits. Reason #5: Local government is hopelessly, intrinsically, deeply corrupt. Business Insider

The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop …

A TV anchor in Australia was interviewing the Dalai Lama, and decided to tell him a joke. The Dalai Lama had no idea what he’s talking about, and there was humiliation all around. I thought it was a pretty good joke, though:

“The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop and says, ‘Can you make me one with everything?'”